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A number of local runners are representing Guernsey in today's London Marathon.
The 26.2 mile course will take participants around London, with thousands of spectators expected to line the capital's streets.
One athlete taking on today's challenge is local businessman Steve Falla.
Mr Falla has been training for the event since September last year, after finding out he had a place in the summer. Although he has run many half marathons over the past 20 years, this will be his first full marathon.
Mr Falla was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in 2003 and will be running on behalf of Diabetes UK.
"I don't like having to carry things [while running] but I will have two bits of kit," he said. "I have got an insulin pump and I inject my insulin by Bluetooth, so I don't have to use pens anymore. I have got a little sensor which is my blood glucose monitor and I can scan that, so I will be doing that through the race. There is good technology now and I am using some of it to help me.
Pictured: Steve Falla training in Guernsey (image credit Chris George).
"There is no charity I could relate to more, so it feels exceptionally right."
Mr Falla had tried to get a place in previous London Marathons without success, so on finding out he would be running this year he went through a range of emotions: "The initial one was excitement. Then there was 'actually this is real now, how am I going to do this?'. I had never run more than half a marathon, I am 58 and have a chronic health condition which needs a lot of thinking about. Then the reality sunk in, but I knew I had six months or more to train.
"It had been a combination of getting a lot of miles in my legs, being in the right place mentally and I have also gone to Pilates for Runners classes.
"I do genuinely think this will be my one and only marathon."
Mr Falla is running today as number 49811 and you can track him and other runners throughout the race here.
He has set up an online page for sponsorship and you can donate on justgiving.com.
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